Love Through the Ages - Three Romance Inspiring Cocktails Using Ancient Aphrodisiacs

When you think of aphrodisiacs, chocolate and oysters usually come to mind. While they are delicious, some of the true ancient aphrodisiacs might be surprising. Spices like clove, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger were held in high regard in Asia and the Middle East for their alluring properties. Sweet tasting strawberries, with their visible seeds, and tart pomegranates were ancient symbols of femininity. Planning a romantic evening? Here are three romance inspiring cocktails that look to the alluring flavors of the past.

Moscow Mule

Used medicinally in Europe and Asia, ginger was brought to the Americas by Europeans in the 16^th century where it grew with ease in the Caribbean. But ginger has an ancient and alluring past. It was highly esteemed as an aphrodisiac in ancient Chinese, Arabic, and Indian herbal traditions. The Moscow Mule, first made in the late 1930s, is a delicious, spicy addition to any romantic evening. Our recipe uses ginger root tea with a candied ginger garnish. Ingredients: 6 oz. ginger tea Honey or other sweetener 6 oz. sparkling water or tonic water 1 oz. lime juice 4 oz. vodka Candied Ginger, mint leaves, lime wedge for garnish (optional) Prepare tea by adding 1-2 teaspoons of ginger tea to 6 oz. of hot water. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. Sweeten with honey or desired sweetener. Allow to cool. Add ice to two glasses. In each glass, add half the tea, sparkling water, lime juice, and vodka. Stir gently. Garnish with mint leaves, a lime wedge on the rim of the glass, and candied ginger on top of the ice. Enjoy!

Spiced Strawberry Bellini

Strawberries, cardamom, cinnamon, sage, honey. This deliciously sweet cocktail which includes our exclusive Aphrodisiac Tea Blend has all of these romance inspiring ingredients. In Ancient Rome, the strawberry was a symbol of Venus. Timeless cinnamon and cardamom, two wondrous warming spices, have long been appreciated as stimulating to the senses. We've added a spicy, botanical twist to the classically sweet bellini, which originated in the 1930s or 40s.

Ingredients:

For the puree -

12 strawberries, quartered

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup strawberry sugar

1/2 cup water

For the cocktail -

True Treats Aphrodisiac Tea Blend

1 bottle Prosecco

Cinnamon sticks to garnish (optional)

Combine strawberries, cinnamon, and sugar in a saucepan on medium heat and stir. Add water once mixture begins to bubble. Cook for 10 minutes then blend until smooth. Cool. Prepare Aphrodisiac Tea Blend by combining 2 teaspoons of loose tea with 1 cup hot water. Steep for 3-5 minutes. Cool. In a glass, combine one part tea, one part Prosecco, and one part strawberry cinnamon puree. Stir with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

Beloved Hibiscus Sangria

Spicy cinnamon, sweet strawberries, timeless honey, and tart pomegranate all mingle together to make this seductive sangria. Two ancient feminine symbols, the strawberry and the pomegranate, meld with our Beloved Blend Tea - full of flavors mentioned in Song of Solomon, the beautiful and ancient poem of love. Sangria traces its history to Ancient Rome, where additives like fruit or mulling spices were commonly added to wine to make it more palatable and safer to drink. Enjoy this modern recipe full of romance inspiring ingredients. Ingredients: True Treats Beloved Blend Tea 1 750ml bottle white wine of your choice 3 red plums 8-10 strawberries 4 oz pomegranate juice 1 cup sugar Bring 2 cups water to a boil and add 3-4 tablespoons Beloved Blend Tea. Let steep for 5 minutes then strain. Cool. Cut up and lightly mash 6 strawberries and 2 red plums. Reserve remaining plums and strawberries for garnish. Add lightly mashed fruit to a pitcher with 1 cup sugar and stir. Pour 1 bottle of white wine, 4 oz of pomegranate juice, and 2 cups chilled tea on top of fruit and sugar mixture. Stir and refrigerate for at least two hours but preferably overnight. Serve over ice with cut fruit as garnish. Enjoy!